Sana’a University and Sabaa Pharma Discuss Enhanced Cooperation in Training and Pharmaceutical Industry

Sana’a – Sana’a University Media
Monday, 4 May 2026, corresponding to 17 Dhul-Qa‘dah 1447 AH

In a move to enhance collaboration between the academic and industrial sectors, Sana’a University and Sabaa International Company for Pharmaceuticals and Chemical Industries have discussed expanding joint cooperation in training and scientific research, in order to support the national pharmaceutical industry and enhance drug security.
Discussions came during a field visit by Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti, Sana’a University Rector, to the company’s factory, where a joint meeting was held with Board Chairman Dr. Ehsan Al-Rabahi in the presence of senior academic and industry officials. Attendees included Prof. Zaid Ali Al-Wareeth, Rector’s Assistant for Center Affairs; Prof. Mohammed Abbas Hamid Al-Din, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy; Prof. Mohammed Al-Shahari, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr. Sami Al-Rabahi, Factory Director; and Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Olofi, Executive Director of the Yemen Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Union (YPMU).
During the meeting, Dr. Ehsan Al-Rabahi welcomed Prof. Al-Bukhaiti and his delegation, highlighting that Sabaa Pharma is a key pillar of Yemen’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. He noted that the company aims to build a strategic partnership with Sana’a University. The proposed collaboration focuses on practical training, workforce development, and aligning academic outcomes with labor market demands, pointing out that a large share of the company’s employees are graduates of Sana’a University.
In turn, Prof. Al-Bukhaiti reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the private sector to develop national expertise and direct research toward development priorities. He underscored the importance of practical training for students in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.
Dr. Sami Al-Rabahi, Factory Director, outlined the company’s future plans to expand production lines, enhance research and development, and adopt advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, aligning with international standards, thereby boosting the quality and competitiveness of locally produced medicines.
Among several key issues, discussions addressed expanding internship opportunities for pharmacy students, aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands, promoting applied research in drug manufacturing, and advancing pharmacovigilance and public health awareness.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of establishing a Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Center at Sana’a University, mutually describing it as a strategic project to improve the quality of national pharmaceuticals. Sabaa Pharma expressed readiness to contribute to the development and equipping of the center.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties, in coordination with YPMU, agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize cooperation and establish a sustainable partnership across training, research, scientific events, and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.
The university delegation later toured the factory’s facilities, laboratories, and production lines, commending the high level of organization and compliance with local and international pharmaceutical manufacturing standards, and emphasizing the role of such industrial models in supporting the healthcare sector and serving the community.